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Bangladesh protests (2022–2024)

This article is about anti-government protests in Bangladesh from 2022-2024. For for the following disinvestment movement and mass uprising that overthrew Sheikh Hasina, see Student–People's uprising.

The Bangladesh protests of 2022–24 were a series of anti-government demonstrations against the administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Initiated by the Bangladeshi opposition parties on 10 December 2022, the protests continued spite of the government crackdowns. Though initially low-level, with instances of vandalism in late 2023, the movement gained momentum in 2024.[4] The protests became linked to the Student–People's uprising, as both shared similar objectives related to government accountability and systemic change. In July 2024, the unrest intensified and turned into a civil disinvestment movement, ultimately leading to Hasina's resignation and eventual exile from the country.

Bangladesh protests (2022-2024)
Victory march by protesters after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina in 2024
Date10 December 2022 – 5 August 2024
(1 year, 7 months and 26 days)
Initial phase: 10 December 2022 – January 2024
(1 year and 1 month)
Student–People's uprising: 5 June – 5 August 2024
(2 months)
Location
Bangladesh
Caused byMultiple reasons:
GoalsResignation of Sheikh Hasina government (mainly)
MethodsActivism, demonstration, protest, strike, sit-in, occupation, blockade, barricade, internet activism, riot, vandalism, arson
Resulted inProtesters' victory
  • Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India
Casualties
Death(s)600+ (OHCHR estimate)[1][2]
1,000+ (Bangladesh government estimate)[3] (excluding initial phase)
Injuries~20,000+ (excluding initial phase)

In December 2022, tens of thousands marched in Dhaka demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.[5] The protests were linked to rising commodity costs and inflation as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More violence escalated during October and November 2023, resulting in the deaths of two people.

In June 2024, the Supreme Court announced that reinstated the pre-2018 quota system in government jobs, triggering massive quota reform protests due to limited opportunity based on merit. Violent suppression angered the public further, resulting in thousands more casualties and hundreds killed, the event known as July massacre. This lasted until the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina government.

Events

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Initial phase

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On 8 December 2022, significant unrest occurred as opposition parties, mainly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), held a rally in Dhaka to demand free elections and the resignation of the government led by the Awami League. The government responded with a heavy crackdown. Hundreds of protesters were arrested, and clashes with the police resulted in the death of one protester.[6][7]

In January 2023, the opposition forces continued to mobilize in Dhaka. These rallies were primarily organized to protest the outcomes of the upcoming elections, demanding electoral reforms and the establishment of a caretaker government to ensure fair elections.[8]

On 28 October 2023, Anti-Government protests escalated significantly in Dhaka and other areas. Two protesters were killed, and dozens were injured in violent clashes with law enforcement. Protests also spread to the Kishoreganj District, where tensions between protesters and the police were similarly high.[9] During these demonstrations, a policeman was reported to have been beaten to death by a mob.[10] Following the announcement of the general election on 15 November 2023, violence and arrests surged. As opposition groups intensified their activities to demand transparent and fair elections, the government's crackdown grew more severe. By the end of 2023, four more people had been killed in protest-related violence, and over 5,330 individuals were arrested, according to local reports and human rights organizations.[11]

2024

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Quota Reform Movement

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This section is an excerpt from 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement.[edit]


The 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement was a series of anti-government[a] and pro-democracy[b] protests in Bangladesh, spearheaded primarily by university students. Initially focused on restructuring quota-based systems for government job recruitment, the movement expanded against what many perceive as an authoritarian government when they carried out the July massacre of protestors and civilians, most of whom were students.[c] Started as a student movement, the movement later escalated into a fully-fledged mass uprising known as the Student–People's uprising.

The protest began in June 2024, in response to the Supreme Court of Bangladesh reinstating a 30% quota for descendants of freedom fighters, reversing the government decision made in response to the 2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement. Students began to feel like they have a limited opportunity based on merit. The protest quickly spread throughout the entire country because of the government's violent response, as well as growing public dissatisfaction against an oppressive government. The situation was further complicated by many other ongoing issues, like the government's inability to manage a prolonged economic downturn, reports of rampant corruption and human rights violations, and the absence of democratic channels for initiating changes.[25][26][27][28]

The government sought to suppress the protests by shutting down all educational institutions. They deployed their student wing, the Chhatra League, along with other factions of the Awami League party. These groups resorted to using firearms and sharp weapons against the demonstrators.[d] The government then deployed Police, RAB, BGB and other armed forces, declaring a nationwide shoot-at-sight curfew[e] amid an unprecedented government-ordered nationwide internet and mobile connectivity blackout that effectively isolated Bangladesh from the rest of the world.[f] Later, the government also blocked social media in Bangladesh.[37] As of August 2, there were 215 confirmed deaths, more than 20,000 injuries,[38][39] and more than 11,000 arrests.[g] The unofficial death toll is between 300 and 500.[44] UNICEF reported that at least 32 children were killed during July's protests, with many more injured and detained.[45][46] Determining the exact number of deaths has been difficult because the government reportedly restricted hospitals from sharing information with the media without police permission, hospital CCTV footage was confiscated, and numerous individuals with gunshot wounds were buried without identification.[47][48][49]

The Awami League government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have suggested that political opponents have co-opted the protest.[50][51] Despite the curfew restrictions the movement remained ongoing as it expanded its demands to include accountability for violence, a ban on the student wing of the government Chhatra League, and resignation of certain government officials,[52] including the resignation of Prime Minister Hasina.[53] The government's use of widespread violence against the general public turned the student protest into a people's uprising known as the non-cooperation movement.[h]

One Point Movement

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This section is an excerpt from Non-cooperation movement (2024).[edit]
 
People cheering in front of the Prime Minister's Office after Sheikh Hasina's resignation

The non-cooperation movement,[i] also known as the one-point movement,[j] was a pro-democratic disinvestment movement and a mass uprising against the Awami League-led government of Bangladesh, initiated within the framework of 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement. The sole demand of this movement was the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet.[58][59] It was the final stage of the wider movement known as the Student–People's uprising or the July Revolution. Although the movement was initially limited to the goal of reforming quotas in government jobs, it snowballed into a mass anti-government uprising after the deaths of several protesters. The movement was also fueled by ongoing socio-economic and political issues, including the government's mismanagement of the national economy, rampant corruption by government officials, human rights violations, allegations of undermining the country's sovereignty by Sheikh Hasina, and increasing authoritarianism and democratic backsliding.[60][61][62]

On 3 August 2024, coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement announced a one-point demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister and her cabinet and called for "comprehensive non-cooperation".[59][63] The following day, violent clashes broke out, resulting in the deaths of 97 people, including students. The coordinators called for a long march to Dhaka to force Hasina out of power on 5 August. That day, a large crowd of protesters made its way through the capital.[64] At around 3:00 p.m. (UTC+6), Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India, her government's biggest ally.[65] Widespread celebrations and violence occurred following her removal, while the military and President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the formation of an interim government led by economist and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.[66] Meanwhile, Indian media outlets were seen engaging in a widespread disinformation campaign aimed at destabilising Bangladesh, following Hasina's resignation and departure to India.[67][68]

Outcomes

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The protests' goals were finally achieved with the resignation of Hasina in the non-cooperation movement on 5 August 2024,[69] when an estimated 5 million people marched towards Shahbag Square in Dhaka, demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. At around 15:00 local time, protesters were able to successfully raid the Ganabhaban, the residence of the Prime Minister. Hasina has since resigned and fled Bangladesh.[70][71]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ [12][13][14][15]
  2. ^ [16][17][18][19]
  3. ^ [20][21][22][23][24]
  4. ^ [29][30][31]
  5. ^ [20][32][33][34]
  6. ^ [35][36][37]
  7. ^ [40][41][42][43]
  8. ^ [54][55][56][57]
  9. ^ Bengali: অসহযোগ আন্দোলন, romanized: Ôsôhôjōg Āndōlôn
  10. ^ Bengali: এক দফা আন্দোলন, romanized: Ēk Dôphā Āndōlôn

References

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  2. ^ "UN report: Over 600 killed in Bangladesh between July 16 and Aug 11". Dhaka Tribune. UNB. 2024-08-16.
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